The Imamiyya’s Argument from the Principle of Grace (Qa‘idat al-Lutf) for the Necessity of Appointing an Imam and Its Role in the Existence of the Hidden Imam according to Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Sa‘id Hakim

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Graduate of Level Four in Explanatory Imamate Studies, Specialized Center for Imamology, and Full Member of the Scientific Association of Imamate, Islamic Seminary of Qom, Iran

Abstract

The Principle of Grace (Qa‘idat al-Lutf) is one of the fundamental theological principles in Islamic thought. According to this principle, the divine purpose — namely, the guidance, instruction, and perfection of humankind — is realized. The sending of messengers, the revelation of divine scriptures, and the appointment of Imams are all justified within this framework. Since God has made guidance and perfection obligatory upon Himself, and such a goal cannot be achieved without the sending of messengers and the appointment of Imams, these acts become necessary and inevitable. However, the question arises: in the era of occultation, when the Imam of the Time (may God hasten his reappearance) lives in concealment, first, what is the benefit and necessity of appointing an Imam? And second, what is the relationship between the Principle of Grace and the occultation? Using a library and documentary method for data collection and a descriptive-analytical approach for data analysis, this paper examines the views of Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Sa‘id Hakim. The findings briefly suggest that, first, the existential (takwini) benefit of the Imam of the Time justifies the necessity of appointing an Imam during the occultation. Second, the occultation includes three elements — the cause, the purpose, and the wisdom of occultation. The Principle of Grace is inconsistent with the first two (the cause and the purpose, which are related to human shortcomings) but consistent and overlapping with the third element, namely the wisdom of occultation.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 15 March 2024
  • Accept Date: 03 May 2024

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